Kiwi firm behind England's peeling numbers

Manu Tuilagi of England tackles Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe of Argentina during the IRB 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Argentina and England at Otago Stadium on Saturday night. Photo / Getty Images

The England Rugby Football Union have been warned by Rugby World Cup organisers after England's shirt numbers - applied by a New Zealand company - began to rub off during their match against Argentina.

Rugby World Cup Ltd have sought assurances the same will not happen in the side's Pool B encounter on Sunday against Romania, the Telegraph reports.

Otherwise the England RFU may face receive a fine.

During the encounter against Los Pumas at Dunedin's new fully enclosed stadium on Saturday night, which England won 13-9, the white player numbers on the back of England's black away strip peeled off over the course of the game.

Tournament rules require a clear number to be visible, not just for fans and broadcasters, but for the benefit of referees, touch judges and anti-doping officers to identify players.

An England team spokesman would not confirm to the English Press Association whether they plan to use the same New Zealand printing firm this week, but said they were addressing the issue.

- Herald Online staff